ASUS is working on its second Republic of Gamers (ROG) ARES graphics card, the ARES 2 dual-HD 7870. Its first ARES was dual-HD 5870. ASUS' decision to go with a pair of Radeon HD 7870 GPUs, instead of the premium HD 7970, certainly comes as a surprise. With it, one could deduce the target market-segment ASUS is aiming at: US $650-750, providing a solution that outperforms even the fastest HD 7970 GHz Edition and GTX 680 graphics cards, while being cheaper than Radeon HD 7990 (which is MIA), dual-HD 7970 X2, and of course, the GTX 690.

ASUS ARES 2 will back two 28 nm "Pitcairn" GPUs with all components unlocked; likely factory-overclocked speeds beyond those of the HD 7870 GHz Edition; and a total of 4 GB of GDDR5 memory (2 GB per GPU system). The card will draw power from two 8-pin PCIe power connectors, and will have a TDP of around 300W. It will take advantage of AMD ZeroCore CrossFire, with which it powers down the second GPU when not gaming, or with light 3D loads that the first GPU can munch on. With the monitor idling for a set amount of time, both GPUs power down. It's likely that ASUS will use a triple-slot cooling solution, despite the fact that the HD 7870 is a generally cool GPU. Pictured below is the first-generation ROG ARES (dual-HD 5870).

Update Jun 26: We have received word from ASUS that "There is no plan to release a dual 7870 VGA".

Meh, honestly if you are going to buy a dual GPU card just buy the one that has the highest single performing GPUs on it, it makes no sense to get into SLI/CFX without having the top chips, the multi GPU issues I've had are enough for me to say get the top single GPU and if it isn't enough then get a pair of em.

So why Asus shared this photo via facebook just four days ago? I don't see point to share this photo with such old card. Secondly look at color of radiators - they are different I know that card in my photo have a lot of similarities with ares but maybe both card will have similar design

So why Asus shared this photo via facebook just four days ago? I don't see point to share this photo with such old card. Secondly look at color of radiators - they are different I know that card in my photo have a lot of similarities with ares but maybe both card will have similar design

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I am absolutely, positively sure that the picture you posted is first-generation ARES. While 2nd Gen ARES has just two 8-pin power connectors, the card in the picture you posted has 8+8+6 pin (first gen ARES).

this is a GREAT decision by Asus imho. with roughly 25% more steam processors than a 7970 on a single card, Asus' already market best pcb design, and binned GHz ed. chips (one would hope anyway) will be a execlent card. this thing if priced competitively, around 650-700$ will find its way into many systems...

It's a pretty good idea on Asus' part to release a dual 7870. Excellent performance, doesn't need a nuclear poewerplant to run & you get some pretty sick performance for a decent price in a single card.
But it doesn't live up to their previous Ares, or the Mars for the nVidia side in terms of prestige.

Finnish techsite Muropaketti also published the news but has since edited it saying: "We have confirmed directly from Asus, that there is no, and never will enter the market, an ARES 2 graphics card based on two Radeon 7870 Pitcairn XT chips."

not counting general multi card issues. This better be a good deal cheaper than buying 2 seperat 7870s otherwise i see no reason one would want this. if its about slots available i suggest getting 7970 ghz instead